First Record of Genus Blascoa (Pteromalidae) from Asia and Discovery of Its Novel Phytophagous Interaction with Ephedra

This paper reports Blascoa ephedrae Askew, 1997, from Kashmir Himalaya, which is first record of this insect species from Asia. To validate this new record, a brief diagnosis, photographic illustrations and distributional map of the species are provided. In addition, the present study first time describes a novel interaction between B. ephedrae and a gymnosperm plant Ephedra intermedia, wherein the insect forages the female cones and completes life cycle by overwintering within the seeds of this plant species. Such a phytophagous behavior suggests the role of B. ephedrae in retarding the reproductive potential of E. intermedia in Kashmir Himalaya.